Apple might soon change the names for the main software that runs its iPhones, iPads, and other devices, according to a report from Bloomberg. Instead of just using the next number in a series, Apple plans to name its software updates by year.

The report says the new system will be like how cars are named. For example, an update released this year might be called version ‘26’ (for the year 2026). So, the next big update for iPhones could be iOS 26 instead of iOS 19. This change would likely also apply to iPadOS, macOS for computers, watchOS for Apple Watches, tvOS, and visionOS, all becoming version ‘26’.

Apple is expected to officially announce this new naming plan at its big meeting for software developers, called the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). This event starts on June 9th.

The main reason for this change is to make the version numbers for all of Apple’s software more similar and easier to follow. Currently, the version numbers are quite different, like iOS 18, watchOS 12, and visionOS 2.

At the same event, Apple might also show a new look for its device software, possibly taking ideas from its Vision Pro headset software.

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